Both Hillary, Giuliani pay homage to New York's multiparty system.(The Dallas Morning News)

NEW YORK _ Only in New York could Mayor Rudolph Giuliani _ the scourge of civil libertarians for his aggressive police policies _ pursue the endorsement of the state's Liberal Party _ and have a good chance.

Even against first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, the scourge of conservatives who revile her as a liberal icon.

But both candidates showed up Saturday at a midtown hotel, paying homage to New York's unique multiparty system. With at least eight organized parties on the ballot, the Empire State serves up an ideological smorgasbord that can lead to some pretty odd dishes.

``It's the public policy in our state to encourage and nurture the existence of third parties,'' said Raymond B. Harding, state vice chairman of and major force behind the Liberal Party.

But multiparties can …